When and how to run filesystem checks on your QNAP NAS
Applicable Products
QTS
Overview
Filesystem checks are essential for maintaining the health and reliability of your NAS storage. These checks help detect and fix file system inconsistencies, especially after system crashes or power outages. Performing regular checks can also prevent data corruption and support overall system stability.
Recommendation
It is recommended to perform a filesystem check regularly and whenever there are signs of system or disk issues. Keep in mind that all services will be stopped during the check to allow the system to unmount the volume for repair. As such, it's important to schedule the check during off-peak hours or planned maintenance windows. Below are suggested timings and scenarios:
When to Perform a Filesystem Check
- System Errors: After an unexpected system crash, power outage, or hardware failure.
- File Corruption: When you suspect files are damaged or encounter I/O (input/output) errors.
- Periodic Maintenance: Running filesystem checks periodically can help proactively identify and resolve minor issues before they escalate.
Best Practices for Scheduling
- Ensure filesystem checks are not scheduled at the same time as backup jobs to avoid conflicts.
- Adjust the schedule to suit your specific workflow and business needs.
Steps to Perform a Filesystem Check
You can perform a manual or one-time scheduled file system check using the steps below.
Method 1: Manual Check
Use this method to immediately perform a file system check
- Log in to QTS as an administrator.
- Go to Storage & Snapshots.
- Select the Storage/Snapshot section.
- Choose the volume you want to check.
- Click Manage > Actions > Check File System.
- Confirm the operation and allow the NAS to complete the scan. This may take some time depending on the volume size.
Method 2: One-Time Scheduled Check
Use this method to perform a scheduled file system check. The check will only be executed if the file system is detected as unclean.
- Log in to QTS as an administrator.
- Go to Storage & Snapshots.
- Open Global Settings
- Click Storage
- Enable Scheduled File System Check.
- Specify a date and time.
- Click Apply.
- The NAS will check the file system by schedule
Further Reading
What should I do if my NAS reports "File system is not clean."?
